Mobile communication terminal

ABSTRACT

A mobile phone apparatus  10  includes a touch panel controlling IC  30 . The touch panel controlling IC  30  controls electric power supplied from the electric power IC  14  on the basis of a received active signal or standby signal to set a touch panel input apparatus  32  to an active state or a standby state on the basis of the received active signal or standby signal. A processor  12  transmits to the touch panel controlling IC  30  the active signal or the standby signal in correspondence with a determined state of the mobile phone apparatus  10.

CROSS-REFERENCING

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/763,371 filed on 8 Feb. 2013, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/920,901 filed on 3 Sep. 2010, which is aNational Stage of International Application number PCT/JP2009/054594filed on 4 Mar. 2009, which claims the benefit of Japanese Applicationnumber 2008-057191 filed of 7 Mar. 2008. The contents of each of theabove applications are incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a mobile communicationterminal having external sensors, such as a touch panel, an accelerationsensor, a photosensor, etc.

BACKGROUND ART

An example of a flip mobile-phone of this kind has a touch panel thatallows a user to perform a sensory input operation by tapping with afinger, a touch pen, etc. and a direction sensor for detecting arelationship between the up and down directions of a first casing and asecond casing that are folded with each other, as external sensors.Furthermore, generally prevalent mobile phone apparatuses have aphotosensor, etc. for detecting an amount of light outside in order toadjust brightness of a backlight of a liquid crystal display device.

However, in such a mobile phone apparatus and today's mobile phoneapparatuses, since a plurality of external sensors are provided, moreelectric power is required to maintain the operations of the externalsensors, so that there is a problem of speeding up consumption of thelimited electric power of the battery.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide anovel mobile communication terminal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobilecommunication terminal capable of reducing electric power consumption ofa battery by conserving electric power of external sensors.

The present invention employs following features in order to solve theabove-described problems. It should be noted that reference numerals andthe supplements inside the parentheses show one example of acorresponding relationship with the embodiments described later for easyunderstanding of the present invention, and do not limit the presentinvention.

A first invention is a mobile communication terminal comprising: adisplay device; a touch panel which is arranged on a top surface of thedisplay device; a power supply portion which supplies an electric powerof a predetermined voltage from a battery; a controller which outputs anactive signal which sets the touch panel to an active state or a standbysignal which sets the touch panel to a standby state by determining acondition; and a touch panel controller which controls the electricpower supplied from the power supply portion on the basis of the activesignal or the standby signal to set the touch panel to the active stateor the standby state, wherein the controller determines a firstcondition (condition 1) in a case that a phone call is in progress, andthere is no possibility that a function operation other than a phonecall is performed, determines a second condition (condition 2) in a casethat a phone call is in progress, but there is a possibility that afunction operation other than a phone call is performed, outputs thestandby signal in a case that the first condition (condition 1) isdetermined, and outputs the active signal in a case that the secondcondition (condition 2) is determined.

In the first invention, a controller (12) determines a first condition(condition 1) in a case that a phone call is in progress and there is nopossibility that a function operation other than a phone call isperformed, and outputs a standby signal to a touch panel controller (30)in this case. Furthermore, the controller determines the secondcondition (condition 2) in a case that a phone call is in progress, butthere is a possibility that a function operation other than a phone callis performed, and outputs an active signal to the touch panel controllerin this case. When receiving the active signal from the controller, thetouch panel controller controls the electric power supplied from a powersupply portion (14) to set the touch panel (32) to the active state, andwhen receiving the standby signal, the touch panel controller controlsthe electric power supplied from a power supply portion (14) to set thetouch panel to the standby state.

According to the first invention, the state of the mobile communicationterminal is determined, and if an operation of the touch panel isrequired in each of the determined states, the touch panel is set to theactive state, and if an operation is not required, the touch panel isset to the standby state, so that it is possible to reduce the electricpower consumption.

A second invention is an invention according to the first invention,wherein the controller determines a third condition (condition 3) in acase that a phone call is not in progress and an application which isbeing activated is compatible with a touch input, determines a fourthcondition (condition 4) in a case that a phone call is not in progress,and an application which is being activated is not compatible with atouch input, outputs the active signal in a case that the thirdcondition (condition 3) is determined, and outputs the standby signal ina case that the fourth condition (condition 4) is determined.

In the second invention, a controller (12) determines a third condition(condition 3) in a case that a phone call is not in progress and anapplication which is being activated is compatible with a touch input,and outputs the active signal to a touch panel controller (30) in thiscase. Furthermore, the controller determines a fourth condition(condition 4) in a case that a phone call is not in progress, and anapplication which is being activated is not compatible with a touchinput, and outputs the standby signal to the touch panel controller inthis case.

According to the second invention, the state of the mobile communicationterminal is determined, and if an operation of the touch panel isrequired in each of the determined states, the touch panel is set to theactive state, and if an operation is not required, the touch panel isset to the standby state, so that it is possible to reduce the electricpower consumption.

A third invention is a mobile communication terminal, comprising: adisplay device; a touch panel which is arranged on a top surface of thedisplay device; an acceleration sensor which detects an inclination ofthe display device; a power supply portion which supplies an electricpower of a predetermined voltage from a power source; a controller whichoutputs an active signal which sets the touch panel and the accelerationsensor to an active state or a standby signal which sets the touch paneland the acceleration sensor to a standby state by determining acondition; a touch panel controller which controls the electric powersupplied from the power supply portion on the basis of the active signalor the standby signal to set the touch panel to the active state or thestandby state; an acceleration sensor controller which controls theelectric power supplied from the power supply portion on the basis ofthe active signal or the standby signal to set the acceleration sensorto the active state or the standby state; and the controller determinesa fifth condition (condition 5) in a case that a phone call is inprogress, and there is no possibility that a function operation otherthan a phone call is performed, determines a sixth condition (condition6) in a case that a phone call is in progress, but there is apossibility that a function operation other than a phone call isperformed, outputs the standby signal to the touch panel controller andthe acceleration sensor controller in a case that the fifth condition(condition 5) is determined, and outputs the active signal to the touchpanel controller and outputs the standby signal to the accelerationsensor controller in a case that the sixth condition (condition 6) isdetermined.

In the third invention, a controller (12) determines a fifth condition(condition 5) in a case that a phone call is in progress, and there isno possibility that a function operation other than a phone call isperformed, and outputs the standby signal to a touch panel controller(30) and an acceleration sensor controller (34) in this case.Furthermore, the controller determines a sixth condition (condition 6)in a case that a phone call is in progress, but there is a possibilitythat a function operation other than a phone call is performed, andoutputs the active signal to the touch panel controller and outputs thestandby signal to the acceleration sensor controller in this case. Then,when receiving the active signal from the controller, the touch panelcontroller controls the electric power supplied from a power supplyportion (14) to set a touch panel (32) to the active state, and whenreceiving the standby signal, the touch panel controller controls theelectric power supplied from the power supply portion to set the touchpanel to the standby state. Furthermore, when receiving the activesignal from the controller, the acceleration sensor controller controlsthe electric power supplied from the power supply portion to set theacceleration sensor to the active state, and when receiving the standbysignal, the acceleration sensor controller controls the electric powersupplied from the power supply portion to set the acceleration sensor tothe standby state.

According to the third invention, the state of the mobile communicationterminal is determined, and if operations of the touch panel and theacceleration sensor are required in each of the determined states, thetouch panel and the acceleration sensor are set to the active state, andif operations are not required, the touch panel and the accelerationsensor are set to the standby state, so that it is possible to reducethe electric power consumption.

A fourth invention is an invention according to the third invention,wherein the controller determines a seventh condition (condition 7) in acase that a phone call is not in progress, and an application which isbeing activated is compatible with a touch input and a rotative display,determines an eighth condition (condition 8) in a case that a phone callis not in progress, and the application which is being activated iscompatible with the touch input and is not compatible with the rotativedisplay, determines a ninth condition (condition 9) in a case that aphone call is not in progress, and the application which is beingactivated is not compatible with the touch input and is compatible withthe rotative display, determines a tenth condition (condition 10) in acase that a phone call is not in progress, and the application which isbeing activated is not compatible with the touch input and the rotativedisplay, outputs the standby signal to the touch panel controller andthe acceleration sensor controller in a case that the tenth condition(condition 10) is determined, outputs the active signal to the touchpanel controller and outputs the standby signal to the accelerationsensor controller in a case that the eighth condition (condition 8) isdetermined, outputs the active signal to the touch panel controller andthe acceleration sensor controller in a case that the seventh condition(condition 7) is determined, and outputs the standby signal to the touchpanel controller and outputs the active signal to the accelerationsensor controller in a case that the ninth condition (condition 9) isdetermined.

In the fourth invention, a controller (12) determines a seventhcondition (condition 7) in a case that a phone call is not in progress,and an application which is being activated is compatible with a touchinput and a rotative display, and outputs the active signal to a touchpanel controller (30) and an acceleration sensor controller (34) in thiscase. In addition, the controller determines an eighth condition(condition 8) in a case that a phone call is not in progress, and theapplication which is being activated is compatible with the touch inputand is not compatible with the rotative display, and outputs the activesignal to the touch panel controller and outputs the standby signal tothe acceleration sensor controller in this case. In addition, thecontroller determines a ninth condition (condition 9) in a case that aphone call is not in progress, and the application which is beingactivated is not compatible with the touch input and is compatible withthe rotative display, and outputs the standby signal to the touch panelcontroller and outputs the active signal to the acceleration sensorcontroller in this case. In addition, the controller determines a tenthcondition (condition 10) in a case that a phone call is not in progress,and the application which is being activated is not compatible with thetouch input and the rotative display, and outputs the standby signal tothe touch panel controller and the acceleration sensor controller inthis case.

According to the fourth invention, the state of the mobile communicationterminal is determined, and if operations of the touch panel and theacceleration sensor are required in each of the determined states, thetouch panel and the acceleration sensor are set to the active state, andif operations are not required, the touch panel and the accelerationsensor are set to the standby state, so that it is possible to thereduce electric power consumption.

A fifth invention is a mobile communication terminal, comprising: adisplay device; a touch panel which is arranged on a top surface of thedisplay device; an acceleration sensor which detects an inclination ofthe display device; a photosensor which detects an amount of lightoutside in order to adjust brightness of the display device; a powersupply portion which supplies an electric power of a predeterminedvoltage from a power source; a controller which outputs an active signalwhich sets the touch panel and the acceleration sensor to an activestate or a standby signal which sets the touch panel and theacceleration sensor to a standby state, and switches the electric powerfrom the power supply portion to the photosensor between a power-supplyand a power-shut-down by determining a condition; a touch panelcontroller which controls the electric power supplied from the powersupply portion on the basis of the active signal or the standby signalto set the touch panel to the active state or the standby state; anacceleration sensor controller which controls the electric powersupplied from the power supply portion on the basis of the active signalor the standby signal to set the acceleration sensor to the active stateor the standby state; and the controller determines a eleventh condition(condition 11) in a case that a phone call is in progress, and there isno possibility that a function operation other than a phone call isperformed, determines a twelfth condition (condition 12) in a case thata phone call is in progress, and there is a possibility that a functionoperation other than a phone call is performed and a function operationis performed, determines a thirteenth condition (condition 13) in a casethat a phone call is in progress, and there is a possibility that afunction operation other than a phone call is performed and a functionoperation is not performed, outputs the standby signal to the touchpanel controller and the acceleration sensor controller and shuts downthe electric power to the photosensor in a case that the eleventhcondition (condition 11) is determined, outputs the active signal to thetouch panel controller, outputs the standby signal to the accelerationsensor controller, and supplies the electric power to the photosensor ina case that the twelfth condition (condition 12) is determined, andoutputs the active signal to the touch panel controller, outputs thestandby signal to the acceleration sensor controller, and shuts off theelectric power to the photosensor in a case that the thirteenthcondition (condition 13) is determined.

In the fifth invention, a controller (12) determines a eleventhcondition (condition 11) in a case that a phone call is in progress, andthere is no possibility that a function operation other than a phonecall is performed, and outputs the standby signal to a touch panelcontroller (30) and an acceleration sensor controller (34), and shutsdown the electric power to a photosensor (38) in this case. Furthermore,the controller determines a twelfth condition (condition 12) in a casethat a phone call is in progress, and there is a possibility that afunction operation other than a phone call is performed and a functionoperation is performed, and outputs the active signal to the touch panelcontroller, outputs the standby signal to the acceleration sensorcontroller, and supplies the electric power to the photosensor in thiscase. Then, the controller determines a thirteenth condition (condition13) in a case that a phone call is in progress, and there is apossibility that a function operation other than a phone call isperformed and a function operation is not performed, outputs the activesignal to the touch panel controller, outputs the standby signal to theacceleration sensor controller, and shuts off the electric power to thephotosensor in this case. Then, when receiving the active signal fromthe controller, the touch panel controller controls the electric powersupplied from a power supply portion (14) to set a touch panel (32) tothe active state, and when receiving the standby signal, the touch panelcontroller controls the electric power supplied from the power supplyportion to set the touch panel to the standby state. Furthermore, whenreceiving the active signal from the controller, the acceleration sensorcontroller controls the electric power supplied from the power supplyportion to set an acceleration sensor (36) to the active state, and whenreceiving the standby signal, the acceleration sensor controllercontrols the electric power supplied from the power supply portion toset the acceleration sensor to the standby state.

According to the fifth invention, the state of the mobile communicationterminal is determined, and if operations of the touch panel, theacceleration sensor, and the photosensor are required in each of thedetermined states, the touch panel and the acceleration sensor are setto the active state, and an electric power to the photosensor issupplied. If operations are not required, the touch panel and theacceleration sensor are set to the standby state, and the electric powerto the photosensor is shut down, so that it is possible to reduce theelectric power consumption.

A sixth invention is an invention according to the fifth invention,wherein the controller determines a fourteenth condition (condition 14)in a case that a phone call is not in progress, and an application whichis being activated is compatible with a touch input and a rotativedisplay, determines a fifteenth condition (condition 15) in a case thata phone call is not in progress, and the application which is beingactivated is compatible with the touch input and is not compatible withthe rotative display, determines a sixteenth condition (condition 16) ina case that a phone call is not in progress, and the application whichis being activated is not compatible with the touch input and iscompatible with the rotative display, determines a seventeenth condition(condition 17) in a case that a phone call is not in progress, and theapplication which is being activated is not compatible with the touchinput and the rotative display, outputs the active signal to the touchpanel controller and the acceleration sensor controller, and suppliesthe electric power to the photosensor in a case that the fourteenthcondition (condition 14) is determined, outputs the active signal to thetouch panel controller, outputs the standby signal to the accelerationsensor controller, and supplies the electric power to the photosensor ina case that the fifteenth condition (condition 15) is determined,outputs the standby signal to the touch panel controller, outputs theactive signal to the acceleration sensor controller, and supplies theelectric power to the photosensor in a case that the sixteenth condition(condition 16) is determined, and outputs the standby signal to thetouch panel controller and the acceleration sensor controller andsupplies the electric power to the photosensor in a case that theseventeenth condition (condition 17) is determined.

In the sixth invention, a controller (12) determines a fourteenthcondition (condition 14) in a case that a phone call is not in progress,and an application which is being activated is compatible with a touchinput and a rotative display, and outputs the active signal to a touchpanel controller (30) and an acceleration sensor controller (34), andsupplies the electric power to a photosensor (38) in this case.Furthermore, the controller determines a fifteenth condition (condition15) in a case that a phone call is not in progress, and the applicationwhich is being activated is compatible with the touch input and is notcompatible with the rotative display, and outputs the active signal tothe touch panel controller, outputs the standby signal to theacceleration sensor controller, and supplies the electric power to thephotosensor in this case. In addition, the controller determines asixteenth condition (condition 16) in a case that a phone call is not inprogress, and the application which is being activated is not compatiblewith the touch input and is compatible with the rotative display, andoutputs the standby signal to the touch panel controller, outputs theactive signal to the acceleration sensor controller, and supplies theelectric power to the photosensor in this case. Then, the controllerdetermines a seventeenth condition (condition 17) in a case that a phonecall is not in progress, and the application which is being activated isnot compatible with the touch input and the rotative display, andoutputs the standby signal to the touch panel controller and theacceleration sensor controller and supplies the electric power to thephotosensor in this case.

According to the sixth invention, the state of the mobile communicationterminal is determined, and if operations of the touch panel, theacceleration sensor, and the photosensor are required in each of thedetermined states, the touch panel and the acceleration sensor are setto the active state, and an electric power to the photosensor issupplied, if operations are not required, the touch panel and theacceleration sensor are set to the standby state, and the electric powerto the photosensor is shut down, so that it is possible to reduce theelectric power consumption.

The above described objects and other objects, features, aspects andadvantages of the present invention will become more apparent from thefollowing detailed description of the present invention when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a mobile phone apparatus 10 as oneembodiment of a first invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a schematic diagram of the mobile phoneapparatus 10 as one embodiment of the first invention.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing a power-saving state of themobile phone apparatus 10 as one embodiment of the first invention.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative view showing a relationship between a state ofthe mobile phone apparatus 10 and a power-saving state in the mobilephone apparatus 10 as one embodiment of the first invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart explaining processing when the processor 12switches a touch panel 32 between an active state and a standby state inthe mobile phone apparatus 10 as one embodiment of the first invention.

FIG. 6 is an illustrative view showing a power-saving state of themobile phone apparatus 10 as one embodiment of a second invention.

FIG. 7 is an illustrative view showing a relationship between a state ofthe mobile phone apparatus 10 and a power-saving state in the mobilephone apparatus 10 as one embodiment of the second invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart explaining processing when the processor 12switches a touch panel 32 and the acceleration sensor 36 between anactive state and a standby state in the mobile phone apparatus 10 as oneembodiment of the second invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart sequel to the flowchart in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an illustrative view showing a power-saving state of themobile phone apparatus 10 as one embodiment of a third invention.

FIG. 11 is an illustrative view showing a relationship between a stateof the mobile phone apparatus 10 and a power-saving state in the mobilephone apparatus 10 of one embodiment of the third invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart explaining processing when the processor 12switches the touch panel 32 and the acceleration sensor 36 between anactive state and a standby state, and switches an electric power supplyto a photosensor 38 between ON and OFF states in the mobile phoneapparatus 10 as one embodiment of the third invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart sequel to the flowchart in FIG. 12.

BEST MODE FOR PRACTICING THE INVENTION First Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 1, a mobile phone apparatus 10 as a mobilecommunication terminal includes a processor 12. As understood from FIG.1, the processor 12 is connected with a power source IC 14, a RAM(Random Access Memory) 18, a flash memory 20, a key input device 22, anLCD (Liquid Crystal Display) driver 24, a backlight 28, a touch panelcontrolling IC 30, an acceleration sensor controlling IC 34, aphotosensor 38, a microphone 40, a speaker 42, an earphone jack 44, atransmitter/receiver circuit 46, and a DTV (Digital Television) tuner50.

The power source IC 14 functions as a power supply circuit forgenerating plurality kinds of voltages from a battery 16 as a powersource, and supplying the generated voltages to each circuit of themobile phone apparatus 10.

The RAM 18 is a storage device capable of being directly accessed fromthe processor 12, and being used as a temporary storage when informationarithmetic processing of the processor 12 is performed.

The flash memory 20 is a storage device to and from which data can befreely written and read and having nonvolatility, and storing variousprograms to be executed by the processor 12 and various data to beexecuted in these programs.

The key input device 22 has a plurality of keys from a numeric keypad22T (see FIG. 2), and allows a user to apply an instruction to theprocessor 12 and inputs a value with a push of each of the keys.

The LCD driver 24 controls an LCD monitor 26 connected to the LCD driver24 to display characters and images on the LCD monitor 26 according toan instruction from the processor 12.

The backlight 28 is for illuminating the LCD monitor 26 from behind, andan edge light system, for example, is adopted therefor. The brightnessof the backlight 28 can be adjusted in six levels, for example, by theprocessor 12.

The touch panel controlling IC 30 functions as a touch panel controllingcircuit for controlling a touch panel 32 connected to the touch panelcontrolling IC 30. The touch panel 32 is arranged on a top surface ofthe LCD monitor 26, designates a position on the panel by detecting aposition touched by a finger, etc., and applies an instruction accordingto the position on the panel to the processor 12. That is, by pushing,stroking, illustrating on the surface of the touch panel 32 with afinger, a pen or the like, it is possible to input a pushed position, astroked direction, an illustrated graphics, etc. For sensing a touch onthe panel, an electrostatic capacity coupling system to sense anelectric signal by static electricity is adopted, but a resistance filmsystem, an optical system (infrared rays system) may be adopted withoutbeing restricted to the electrostatic capacity coupling system.

Furthermore, when receiving an active signal from the processor 12, thetouch panel controlling IC 30 supplies an electric power from the powersource IC 14 to the touch panel 32 to thereby set the touch panel 32 toan active state. On the other hand, when receiving a standby signal fromthe processor 12, the touch panel controlling IC 30 shuts down theelectric power from the power source IC 14 to the touch panel 32 tothereby set the touch panel 32 to a standby state. Furthermore, thetouch panel controlling IC 30 shuts down an electric power supply to apart that is not used by the touch panel 32 in the standby-state out ofits own circuit 30, and becomes the standby-state itself when thestandby signal is received.

The acceleration sensor controlling IC 34 functions as an accelerationsensor controlling circuit for controlling an acceleration sensor 36connected to the acceleration sensor controlling IC 34. The accelerationsensor controlling IC 34 and the acceleration sensor 36 are integrallyformed by an MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) technology. Theacceleration sensor 36 is for detecting how much acceleration in acertain direction is exerted on the sensor, and is a two-axisacceleration sensor capable of detecting accelerations in a two-axisdirection at a time, for example. According to the acceleration sensor36, it is possible to detect how much the mobile phone apparatus 10 isinclined with respect to the ground. In a case that an image isdisplayed on the LCD monitor 26, the processor 12 can determine up anddown directions of the mobile phone apparatus 10, that is, the LCDmonitor 26 on the basis of the inclination detected by the accelerationsensor 36, and display the image in a rotated manner according to thedetermined up and down directions of the LCD monitor 26. Determining theup and down directions of the LCD monitor 26 and displaying a displayobject in a rotated manner is hereinafter referred to as a “rotativedisplay”.

The photosensor 38 is a sensor for detecting light, generates a currenthaving magnitude corresponding to the brightness of the detected light,and converts the generated current to a voltage to output the same tothe processor 12. The processor 12 adjusts the brightness of thebacklight 28 for illuminating the LCD monitor 26 in correspondence withthe outside brightness detected by the photosensor 38. That is, in acase that it is light outside, the backlight 28 is lit up bright, and ina case that it is dark outside, the backlight 28 is lit up with lowbrightness.

The microphone 40 captures a sound generated by the user to convert itto an electric signal, and outputs the electric signal to the processor12. Furthermore, the speaker 42 is for converting the electric signalapplied from the processor 12 to a sound and outputting the same. Inaddition, the earphone jack 44 is for being connected with a terminal ofan earphone (not illustrated). When detecting the terminal of theearphone is inserted into the earphone jack 44, the processor 12 stopsoutputting the sound from the speaker 42, and outputs the sound from thespeaker of the earphone. Furthermore, when detecting that a terminal ofan earphone with microphone (not illustrated) is inserted into theearphone jack 44, in addition to stopping the sound output from thespeaker 42, the processor 12 stops an input of the sound signal from themicrophone 40, and accepts a sound signal from the microphone of theearphone with microphone.

The transmitter/receiver circuit 46 is a circuit for implementing awireless communication in a CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) system,for example. When a call-out operation is performed on the key inputdevice 22, the processor 12 controls the transmitter/receiver circuit 46to output a calling signal. The calling signal output from thetransmitter/receiver circuit 46 is output from an antenna 48 to betransmitted to a phone apparatus of a communication partner through amobile communication network including base stations. When a call-inoperation is performed by the phone apparatus of the communicationpartner, a communication-capable state is established.

When a conversation end operation is performed on the key input device22 after a transition to the communication-capable state, the processor12 controls the transmitter/receiver circuit 46 to send a conversationend signal to the communication partner. After transmitting theconversation end signal, the processor 12 ends the conversationprocessing. In a case that a conversation end signal is first receivedfrom the communication partner as well, the processor 12 ends theconversation processing. Furthermore, in a case that a conversation endsignal is received from the mobile communication network not from thecommunication partner as well, the processor 12 ends the conversationprocessing.

When a calling signal from the communication partner is captured by theantenna 48, the transmitter/receiver circuit 46 notifies an incomingcall to the processor 12. The processor 12 outputs calling sourceinformation described in the incoming call notification to the LCDmonitor 26, and outputs an incoming call tone from a incoming callnotifying speaker not shown. When a call-in operation is performed onthe key input device 22, a communication-capable state is established.

In the communication-capable state, following processing is executed. Amodulated sound signal (high frequency signal) sent from thecommunication partner is received by the antenna 48. The receivedmodulated sound signal undergoes demodulation processing and decodeprocessing by the transmitter/receiver circuit 46. The reception soundsignal obtained by such the processes is output from the speaker 42. Atransmission sound signal captured by the microphone 40 undergoesencoding processing and modulation processing by thetransmitter/receiver circuit 46. The modulated sound signal obtained bysuch the processes is transmitted to the communication partner via theantenna 48 as described above.

The DTV tuner 50 is for receiving a digital terrestrial televisionbroadcast (One seg). When a channel selecting operation is performed onthe key input device 22, the DTV tuner 50 extracts a digital terrestrialtelevision broadcast signal corresponding to the selected channel fromthe digital terrestrial television broadcast signal received by a DTVantenna 52. Furthermore, the DTV tuner 50 performs digital demodulation,etc. on the extracted digital terrestrial television broadcast signal tothereby generate a demodulated signal. The generated demodulated signalis separated into a demodulated signal for video broadcasting and ademodulated signal for data broadcasting, and they are output to theprocessor 12. The processor 12 performs decode processing based on anMPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) system on the demodulated signal forvideo broadcasting to generate a video signal. In addition, theprocessor 12 performs decode processing on the demodulated signal fordata broadcasting to thereby form text data, etc. The video signal andtext data thus formed are displayed on the LCD monitor 26 by anoperation of the LCD driver 24.

FIG. 2 is an appearance view of the mobile phone apparatus 10. Withreference to FIG. 2, the mobile phone apparatus 10 has a case C formedin a plate shape. On a side surface of one end of the case C in alongitudinal direction, the DTV antenna 52 is provided. Here, theantenna 48 for wireless communication is arranged inside the case C. Ona lower top surface of the case C, the key input device 22 is arranged.The key input device 22 includes a numeric keypad 22T, a up key 22 a, adown key 22 b, a left direction key 22 c, a right direction key 22 d, acenter key 22 e, a power/call-ending key 22 f, a dial key 22 g and alock key 22 h, each key being a push switch. Furthermore, on an uppertop surface of the case C, the LCD monitor 26 is arranged, and on a topsurface of the LCD monitor 26, the touch panel 32 is arranged. Anoperation of pushing each key by the user is hereinafter referred to asa “key input”, and an operation of pushing, stroking, drawing the topsurface of the touch panel 32 with a finger, a pen, or the like isreferred to as a “touch input”.

In addition, in the vicinity of the upper end of the top surface of thecase C, an opening OP1 leading to the speaker 42 although not shown inFIG. 2 is provided, and in the vicinity of the lower end of the topsurface of the case C, an opening OP2 leading to the microphone 40although not shown in FIG. 2 as well is provided. Accordingly, the userlistens to a sound output from the speaker 42 through the opening OP1,and inputs his or her voice to the microphone 42 through the openingOP2. In the vicinity of a lower left of the LCD monitor 26 on the topsurface of the case C, an opening OP3 is provided, and a sensor portionof the photosensor 38 is exposed from the opening of an open end of theopening OP3. It should be noted that although not illustrated in FIG. 2,on a left side surface of the case C, the earphone jack 44 for beingconnected with the terminal of the earphone is provided.

In the mobile phone apparatus 10 of such a first embodiment, incorrespondence with the state of the mobile phone apparatus 10 detectedby the processor 12, a state of the touch panel 32 as an external sensoris switched between the active state and the standby state to therebyconserve electricity, so that it is possible to suppress the electricpower consumption of the battery 16.

As shown in FIG. 3, as a state of the external sensor, there are a“first state” in which the touch panel 32 is the active state, and a“second state” in which the touch panel 32 is the standby state.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, as a state of the mobile phoneapparatus 10, there are a low-battery state in which the remainingamount of the battery 16 is less than a predetermined amount, a state inwhich nothing is displayed on the LCD monitor 26 (non-display), a statein which the touch panel 32 is locked, a state (first condition(condition 1)) in which a phone call is in progress and there is nopossibility that a “function operation other than a phone call” is made(only the phone call), a state (second condition (condition 2)) in whicha phone call is in progress, but there is a possibility that a “functionoperation other than a phone call” is made on the basis of the fact thatthe terminal of the earphone is being connected to the earphone jack 44,a handsfree function is being executed, a conversation is being hold,etc., a state (third condition (condition 3)) in which a phone call isnot in progress and an application that is compatible with a “touchinput” is being executed, a state (fourth condition (condition 4)) inwhich a phone call is not in progress and an application that is notcompatible with a “touch input” is being executed, and other state.

Here, in a case that the remaining amount of the battery 16 isrepresented by a gage being made up of a scale of three levels, thelow-battery state is the lowest remaining battery power represented byone mark. Furthermore, the touch panel 32 can be locked by performing a“key input” with a long-push of the lock key 22 h. While the touch panel32 is locked, the touch panel controlling IC 30 does not accept a “touchinput”. Then, the handsfree function can be executed by performing a“key input” with a long-push of the dial key 22 g at a time of anincoming call, at a time of an outgoing call, or during a conversation.In addition, the holding function can be executed by performing a “keyinput” with the power/call-ending key at a time of an incoming call.Additionally, the “function operation other than a phone call” is acharacter input operation and a still image displaying operation on aWeb screen, etc. and a terrestrial digital broadcast displayingoperation accompanying a data broadcasting output, for example.

Referring to FIG. 4, in the low-battery state, for the purpose ofpreventing the power of the battery 16 from being consumed, the touchpanel 32 is set to the standby state (second state). In the non-displaystate of the LCD monitor 26, there is no need to prepare for a “touchinput”, and therefore, the touch panel 32 is set to the standby state(second state). Furthermore, in a state in which the touch panel 32 islocked, a “touch input” is not accepted, and therefore, the touch panel32 is set to the standby state (second state).

In the state (first condition) in which a phone call is in progress andthere is no possibility that a “function operation other than a phonecall” is made (only the phone call), there is no possibility a “touchinput” being performed, and therefore, the touch panel 32 is set to thestandby state (second state). On the other hand, in the state (secondcondition) in which a phone call is in progress, but there is apossibility that a “function operation other than a phone call” is made,the touch panel 32 is set to the active state (first state) inpreparation for a “touch input”.

Moreover, in the state (third condition) in which a phone call is not inprogress and an application that is compatible with the “touch input” isbeing activated, the touch panel 32 is set to the active state (firststate) in preparation for a “touch input”. On the other hand, in thestate (fourth condition) in which a phone call is not in progress and anapplication that is not compatible with the “touch input” is beingexecuted, there is no possibility that a “touch input” is performed, andtherefore, the touch panel 32 is set to the standby state (secondstate). Then, in the state other than the above description of themobile phone apparatus 10, the touch panel 32 is set to the active state(first state) in preparation for a “touch input”.

Next, with reference to a flowchart in FIG. 5, a processing when theprocessor 12 switches the touch panel 32 between the active state andthe standby state to thereby operate a power-saving state is explained.Here, the processor 12 executes the following processing on the basis ofthe predetermined program stored in the flash memory 20.

Furthermore, the processor 12 can detect the state of the mobile phoneapparatus 10, such as a remaining amount of the battery 16, the presenceor absence of a connection of an earphone to the earphone jack 44, and afunction corresponding to an activating application according to thewell-known techniques. For example, whether or not the activatingapplication is compatible with a predetermined function can bedetermined by holding a table in which each application name is broughtinto correspondence with a function name corresponding to thisapplication in the flash memory 20, and by referring the table by theprocessor 12 when the application is being activated. Alternatively, theprocessor 12 directly inquires of the activating application whether ornot it is compatible with a predetermined function, and this applicationmay respond thereto.

It should be noted that the process shown in the flowchart in FIG. 5 isan example, and the order of the processing is not restricted to thatshown in the flowchart, and may be changed as necessary if the presentinvention can be implemented even after the order of the processing ischanged.

Referring to FIG. 5, the processor 12 first determines whether or notthe remaining amount of the battery 16 is less than a predeterminedamount (low battery) in a step S1. If “YES” is determined in the stepS1, the processor 12 sets a flag F to a content indicating the “secondstate” in a step S13. Here, the flag F is a storage area of a registerR, etc. belonging to the processor 12, for example. The register R (flagF) is set to a “00000001” or a “00000010” to thereby indicate the “firststate” or the “second state”. The “first state” is a state in which the“00000001” is stored in the register R, and the touch panel 32 is activeas shown in FIG. 3. On the other hand, the “second state” is a state inwhich the “00000010” is stored in the register, and the touch panel 32is standby as shown in FIG. 3. Accordingly, in the step S13, the“00000010” is stored in the register R (flag F).

When the flag F is thus set, the processor 12 operates the power-savingstate on the basis of the set state of the flag F in a step S15. Morespecifically, since the flag F indicates the “second state”, theprocessor 12 transmits a standby signal to the touch panel controllingIC 30. Here, the touch panel controlling IC 30 that receives the standbysignal shuts down the electric power supply from the battery 16 to thetouch panel 32 to thereby set the touch panel 32 to the standby state,and the touch panel controlling IC 30 itself becomes the standby state.After the step 15, the process returns to the step S1.

On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in the step S1, the processproceeds to a step S3 to determine whether or not the LCD monitor 26 isin a non-displayed state. If “YES” is determined in the step S3, the“00000010” is stored in the register R to set the flag F to the contentindicating the “second state” in the step S13, and further in the stepS15, the power-saving state is operated on the basis of the set state ofthe flag F. More specifically, since the flag F indicates the “secondstate”, the processor 12 transmits the standby signal to the touch panelcontrolling IC 30.

On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in the step S3, it isdetermined whether or not the touch panel 32 is locked in a step S5. If“YES” is determined in the step S5, the “00000010” is stored in theregister R to set the flag F to the content indicating the “secondstate” in the step S13, and further in the step S15, the power-savingstate is operated on the basis of the set state of the flag F. Morespecifically, since the flag F indicates the “second state”, theprocessor 12 transmits the standby signal to the touch panel controllingIC 30.

On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in the step S5, it isdetermined whether or not a phone call is in progress in a step S7. If“YES” is determined in the step S7, it is determined whether or not anyone of inserting the terminal of the earphone into the earphone jack 44,a handsfree function, and a holding function is being executed, that is,whether a state in which there is a possibility of the “functionoperation other than a phone call” being performed during a phone callor not in a next step S9. Even during the phone call, if the terminal ofthe earphone is inserted into the earphone jack 44, if the handsfreefunction is executed, or if the holding function is executed, theopening OP1 and the LCD monitor 26 of the mobile phone apparatus 10 areseparated from the vicinity of the ear, and this causes a state in whichthe user performs any operation on the mobile phone apparatus 10 toperform the “function operation other than a phone call”. If “YES” isdetermined in the step S9, “00000001” is stored in the register R to setthe flag F to a content indicating the “first state” in a step S11, andfurther in the step S15, the power-saving state is operated on the basisof the set state of the flag F. More specifically, since the flag Findicates the “first state”, the processor 12 transmits the activesignal to the touch panel controlling IC 30. Here, the touch panelcontrolling IC 30 that receives the active signal supplies the electricpower from the battery 16 to the touch panel 32 to set it to the activestate, and the touch panel controlling IC 30 itself also becomes theactive state.

On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in the step S9, the “00000010”is stored in the register R to set the flag F to the content indicatingthe “second state” in the step S13, and further in the step S15, thepower-saving state is operated on the basis of the set state of the flagF. More specifically, since the flag F indicates the “second state”, theprocessor 12 transmits the standby signal to the touch panel controllingIC 30.

If the process returns to the step S7 to determine that the phone callis in progress (“NO” in the step S7), it is determined whether or notthe application is being activated in a step S17. If “YES” is determinedin the step S17, the processor 12 determines whether or not theapplication which is being activated is compatible with the “touchinput” in a step S19. If “YES” is determined in the step S19, “00000001”is stored in the register R to set the flag F to the content indicatingthe “first state” in the step S11, and further in the step S15, thepower-saving state is operated on the basis of the set state of the flagF. More specifically, since the flag F indicates the “first state”, theprocessor 12 transmits the active signal to the touch panel controllingIC 30.

On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in the step S19, the “00000010”is stored in the register R to set the flag F to the content indicatingthe “second state” in the step S13, and further in the step S15, thepower-saving state is operated on the basis of the set state of the flagF. More specifically, since the flag F indicates the “second state”, theprocessor 12 transmits the standby signal to the touch panel controllingIC 30.

Returning to the step S17, when it is determined that the application isnot being activated (“NO” in the step S17), that is, if in other state,“00000001” is stored in the register R to set the flag F to the contentindicating the “first state” in the step S11, and further in the stepS15, the power-saving state is operated on the basis of the set state ofthe flag F. More specifically, since the flag F indicates the “firststate”, the processor 12 transmits the active signal to the touch panelcontrolling IC 30.

As understood from the above description, the mobile phone apparatus 10of the first embodiment determines whether or not the touch panel 32being an external sensor has to be operated depending on the operatingstate of the mobile phone apparatus 10, and switches the touch panel 32from the active state to the standby state if the touch panel 32 is notrequired to be operated. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent thetouch panel 32 from being supplied with useless electric power, andreduce the electric power consumption of the battery 16.

Second Embodiment

In the second embodiment, the configuration of the mobile phoneapparatus 10 in FIG. 1 and the appearance of the mobile phone apparatus10 shown in FIG. 2 that are used for explanation of the first embodimentare common, and therefore, in the explanation of the second embodiment,drawings and explanations therefor are omitted.

In the second embodiment, when receiving the active signal from theprocessor 12, the sensor controlling IC 34 supplies an electric powerfrom the power source IC 14 to the acceleration sensor 36 to thereby setthe acceleration sensor 36 to the active state. On the other hand, whenreceiving the standby signal from the processor 12, the accelerationsensor controlling IC 34 shuts down the electric power from the powersource IC 14 to the acceleration sensor 36 to thereby set theacceleration sensor 36 to the standby state. Furthermore, when receivingthe standby signal, the acceleration sensor controlling IC 34 shuts downthe electric power to the part that is not used during the standby ofthe acceleration sensor 34 out of the acceleration sensor controlling IC34, and the acceleration sensor controlling IC 34 itself becomes thestandby state.

Accordingly, in the mobile phone apparatus 10 of the second embodiment,the processor 12 individually transmits the active signal or the standbysignal to the acceleration sensor controlling IC 34 as well as the touchpanel controlling IC 30.

In such a mobile phone apparatus 10 of the second embodiment, dependingon the state of the mobile phone apparatus 10, each of the states of thetouch panel 32 and the acceleration sensor 36 as external sensors isswitched between the active state and the standby state to therebyconserve electricity, capable of suppressing the electric powerconsumption of the battery 16.

As shown in FIG. 6, as combinations of the states of the externalsensors, there are a “first state” in which both of the touch panel 32and the acceleration sensor 36 are the active state, a “second state” inwhich the touch panel 32 is the active state, and the accelerationsensor 36 is the standby state, a “third state” in which the touch panel32 is the standby state, and the acceleration sensor 36 is the activestate, and a “fourth state” in which both of the touch panel 32 and theacceleration sensor 36 are the standby state.

Furthermore, as a state of the mobile phone apparatus 10, as shown inFIG. 7, there are a low-battery state in which the remaining amount ofthe battery 16 is less than a predetermined amount, a state in whichnothing is displayed on the LCD monitor 26 (non-display), a state inwhich the touch panel 32 is locked, a state (fifth condition (condition5)) in which a phone call is in progress and there is no possibilitythat a “function operation other than a phone call” is made, a state(sixth condition (condition 6)) in which a phone call is in progress,but there is a possibility that a “function operation other than a phonecall” is made on the basis of the fact that the terminal of the earphoneis being connected to the earphone jack 44, a handsfree function isbeing executed, a conversation is being hold, etc., a state (seventhcondition (condition 7)) in which a phone call is not in progress and anapplication that is compatible with the “touch input” and “the rotativedisplay” is being executed, a state (eighth condition (condition 8)) inwhich a phone call is not in progress and an application that iscompatible with the “touch input” and is not compatible with “therotative display” is being executed, a state (ninth condition (condition9)) in which a phone call is not in progress and an application that isnot compatible with the “touch input” and is compatible with “therotative display” is being executed, a state (tenth condition (condition10)) in which a phone call is not in progress and an application that isnot compatible with the “touch input” and the “rotative display” isbeing executed, and other state. Here, the “rotative display” isdetermining the up and down directions of the LCD monitor 36 by thefunction of the acceleration sensor 36 and displaying a display object,such as an still image in a rotated manner so as to conform to the upand down directions as described above.

Referring to FIG. 7, in the low-battery state, for the purpose ofpreventing the power of the battery 16 from being consumed, both of thetouch panel 32 and the acceleration sensor 36 are set to the standbystate (fourth state). In the non-display state of the LCD monitor 26,there is no possibility of a “touch input”, and a display objectdisplayed on the LCD monitor 26 need not undergo the “rotative display”,and therefore, both of the touch panel 32 and the acceleration sensor 36are set to the standby state (fourth state). Then, in the state in whichthe touch panel 32 is locked, a “touch input” is not accepted, andtherefore, the touch panel 32 is set to the standby state, but an objectis displayed on the LCD monitor 26, and there is a possibility that thedisplay object undergoes the “rotative display”, and therefore, theacceleration sensor 36 is set to the active state (third state).

In the state (fifth condition) in which a phone call is in progress andthere is no possibility that a “function operation other than a phonecall” is made, there is no possibility of a “touch input” and there isno possibility that the display object displayed on the LCD monitor 26undergoes the “rotative display”, and therefore, both of the touch panel32 and the acceleration sensor 36 are set to the standby state (fourthstate). On the other hand, in the state (sixth condition) in which aphone call is in progress, but there is a possibility that a “functionoperation other than a phone call” is made, in preparation for a “touchinput” being performed, the touch panel 32 is set to the active state,and the “rotative display” is not performed according to thespecifications (specs), and therefore, the acceleration sensor 36 is setto the standby state (second state).

In the state (seventh condition) in which a phone call is not inprogress and an application that is compatible with the “touch input”and the “rotative display” is being activated, the touch panel 32 is setto the active state in preparation for the “touch input”, and theacceleration sensor 36 is set to the active state (first state) inpreparation for the “rotative display”. Furthermore, in the state(eighth condition) in which a phone call is not in progress and anapplication that is compatible with the “touch input” and is notcompatible with “the rotative display” is being activated, the touchpanel 32 is set to the active state in preparation for the “touchinput”, and the acceleration sensor 36 is set to the standby state(second state) because there is no need to prepare for the “rotativedisplay”. In addition, in the state (ninth condition) in which a phonecall is not in progress and an application that is not compatible withthe “touch input” and is compatible with “the rotative display” is beingactivated, the touch panel 32 is set to the standby state because thereis no need to prepare for the “touch input”, and the acceleration sensor36 is set to the active state (third state)” in preparation for the“rotative display”. In the state (tenth condition) in which a phone callis not in progress and an application that is not compatible with the“touch input” and the “rotative display” is being executed, there is noneed to prepare for the “touch input” and the “rotative display”, andtherefore, both of the touch panel 32 and the acceleration sensor 36 areset to the standby state (fourth state). Then, in the state other thanthe above description of the mobile phone apparatus 10, both of thetouch panel 32 and the acceleration sensor 36 are set to the activestate in preparation for the “touch input” and the “rotative display”(first state).

Next, with reference to flowcharts in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, processing whenthe processor 12 operates the power-saving state by switching the touchpanel 32 and the acceleration sensor 36 between the active state and thestandby state is explained. Here, the processor 12 executes thefollowing processing on the basis of the predetermined program stored inthe flash memory 20. Furthermore, the processor 12 can detect the stateof the mobile phone apparatus 10, such as a remaining amount of thebattery 16, the presence or absence of a connection of an earphone tothe earphone jack 44, and a function corresponding to an activatingapplication according to the well-known techniques. It should be notedthat the processing shown in the flowcharts in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 is anexample, and the order of the processing is not restricted to that shownin the flowcharts, and may be changed as necessary if the presentinvention can be implemented even after the order of the processing ischanged.

Referring to FIG. 8, the processor 12 determines whether or not theremaining amount of the battery 16 is less than a predetermined amount(low battery) in a step S21. If “YES” is determined in the step S21, theprocessor 12 sets the flag F to the “fourth state” in a step S37. Theflag F, here, is a storage area of a register R, etc. belonging to theprocessor 12. The register R (flag F) indicates any one of the “firststate” to the “fourth state” by being set to any one of a “00000001”, a“00000010”, a “00000100”, and a “00001000”. The “first state” is a statein which the “00000001” is stored in the register R, and both of thetouch panel 32 and the acceleration sensor 36 are active as shown inFIG. 6. The “second state” is a state in which the “00000010” is storedin the register and the touch panel 32 is active, and the accelerationsensor 36 is standby as shown in FIG. 6. This holds true for thefollowing. That is, the states in which the “00000100” and the“00001000” are stored in the register R (flag F) respectively indicatethe “third state” and the “fourth state”. Accordingly, in the step S37,the “00001000” is stored in the register R (flag F).

When the flag F is thus set, in a step S35, the processor 12 operatesthe power-saving state on the basis of the set state of the flag F. Morespecifically, since the flag F indicates the “fourth state”, theprocessor 12 transmits the standby signal to both of the touch panelcontrolling IC 30 and the acceleration sensor controlling IC 34.

On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in the step S21, the processproceeds to a step S23 to determine whether or not the LCD monitor 26 isa non-display state. If “YES” is determined in the step S23, the“00001000” is stored in the register R to set the flag F to the contentindicating the “fourth state” in the step S37, and further in the stepS35, the power-saving state is operated on the basis of the set state ofthe flag F. More specifically, since the flag F indicates the “fourthstate”, the processor 12 transmits the standby signal to both of thetouch panel controlling IC 30 and the acceleration sensor controlling IC34.

On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in the step S23, it isdetermined whether or not the touch panel 32 is locked in a step S25. If“YES” is determined in the step S25, “00000100” is stored in theregister R to set the flag F to a content indicating the “third state”in a step S39, and further in the step S35, the power-saving state isoperated on the basis of the set state of the flag F. More specifically,since the flag F indicates the “third state”, the processor 12 transmitsthe standby signal to the touch panel controlling IC 30, and transmitsthe active signal to the acceleration sensor controlling IC 34.

On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in the step S25, it isdetermined whether or not a phone call is being made in a step S27. If“YES” is determined in the step S27, it is determined whether or not anyone of inserting the terminal of the earphone into the earphone jack 44,a handsfree function, and a holding function is being executed, that is,whether a state in which there is a possibility of the “functionoperation other than a phone call” being performed during a phone callor not in a step S29. If “YES” is determined in the step S29, the“00000010” is stored in the register R to set the flag F to a contentindicating a “second state” in a step S31, and further in the step S35,the power-saving state is operated on the basis of the set state of theflag F. More specifically, since the flag F indicates the “secondstate”, the processor 12 transmits the active signal to the touch panelcontrolling IC 30 and the standby signal to the acceleration sensorcontrolling IC 34. On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in the step29, the “00001000” is stored in the register R to set the flag F to acontent indicating the “fourth state” in a step S33, and further in thestep S35, the power-saving state is operated on the basis of the setstate of the flag F. More specifically, since the flag F indicates the“fourth state”, the processor 12 transmits the standby signal to both ofthe touch panel controlling IC 30 and the acceleration sensorcontrolling IC 34.

Returning to the step S27, when it is determined that a phone call isnot being made (“NO” in the step S27), it is determined whether or notan application is being activated in a step S41. If “YES” is determinedin the step S41, the application which is being activated is compatiblewith the “touch input” in a step S43. If “YES” is determined in the stepS43, it is determined whether or not the application which is beingactivated is compatible with the “rotative display” in a step S45. If“YES” is determined in the step S45, the “00000001” is stored in theregister R to set the flag F to a content indicating the “first state”in a step S47, and further in the step S35, the power-saving state isoperated on the basis of the set state of the flag F. More specifically,since the flag F indicates the “first state”, the processor 12 transmitsthe active signal to both of the touch panel controlling IC 30 and theacceleration sensor controlling IC 34.

On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in the step S45, the “00000010”is stored in the register R to set the flag F to the content indicatingthe “second state” in a step S49, and further in the step S35, thepower-saving state is operated on the basis of the set state of the flagF. More specifically, since the flag F indicates the “second state”, theprocessor 12 transmits the active signal to the touch panel controllingIC 30 and transmits the standby signal to the acceleration sensor IC 34.

Returning to the step S43, when it is determined that the applicationwhich is being activated is not compatible with the “touch input” (“NO”in the step S43), it is then determined whether or not the applicationwhich is being activated is compatible with the “rotative display” in astep 51. If “YES” is determined in the step S51, the “00000100” isstored in the register R to set the flag F to the content indicating the“third state in a step S53, and further in the step S35, thepower-saving state is operated on the basis of the set state of the flagF. More specifically, since the flag F indicates the “third state”, theprocessor 12 transmits the standby signal to the touch panel controllingIC 30, and transmits the active signal to the acceleration sensorcontrolling IC 34.

On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in the step S51, the “00001000”is stored in the register R to set the flag F to the content indicatingthe “fourth state” in a step S55, and further in the step S35, thepower-saving state is operated on the basis of the set state of the flagF. More specifically, since the flag F indicates the “fourth state”, theprocessor 12 transmits the standby signal to both of the touch panelcontrolling IC 30 and the acceleration sensor controlling IC 34.

Returning to the step S41, when it is determined that the application isnot being activated (“NO” in the step S41), that is, if in other state,the “00000001” is stored in the register R to set the flag F to acontent indicating the “first state” in a step S47, and further in astep S79, the power-saving state is operated on the basis of the setstate of the flag F. More specifically, since the flag F indicates the“first state”, the processor 12 transmits the active signal to both ofthe touch panel controlling IC 30 and the acceleration sensorcontrolling IC 34.

As understood from the above description, the mobile phone apparatus 10of the second embodiment determines whether or not the touch panel 32and the acceleration sensor 36 being external sensors have to beoperated depending on the operating state of the mobile phone apparatus10, and switches each of the touch panel 32 and the acceleration sensor36 from the active state to the standby state in a case that there is noneed for operation. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the touchpanel 32 and the acceleration sensor 36 from being supplied with uselesselectric power, and reduce the electric power consumption of the battery16.

Third Embodiment

In the third embodiment, the configuration of the mobile phone apparatus10 in FIG. 1 and the appearance of the mobile phone apparatus 10 shownin FIG. 2 that are used for explanation of the first embodiment arecommon, and therefore, in the explanation of the third embodiment,drawings and explanations therefor are omitted.

In the third embodiment, when receiving the active signal from theprocessor 12, the acceleration sensor controlling IC 34 supplies anelectric power from the power source IC 14 to the acceleration sensor 36to thereby set the acceleration sensor 36 to the active state. On theother hand, when receiving a standby signal from the processor 12, theacceleration sensor controlling IC 34 shuts down the electric power fromthe power source IC 14 to the acceleration sensor 36 to thereby set theacceleration sensor 36 to the standby state. Furthermore, when receivingthe standby signal, the acceleration sensor controlling IC 34 shuts downthe electric power to the part that is not used during the standby stateof the acceleration sensor 36 out of its own circuit 34, and theacceleration sensor controlling IC 34 itself becomes the standby state.

Then, in the mobile phone apparatus 10 of the third embodiment, theprocessor 12 switches the electric power from the battery 16 to besupplied to the photosensor 38 via the power source IC 14 and theprocessor 12 between the ON and OFF states in addition to individuallytransmit the active signal or the standby signal to the accelerationsensor controlling IC 34 as well as the touch panel controlling IC 30.

In the mobile phone apparatus 10 of such a third embodiment, dependingon the states of the mobile phone apparatus 10, each of the states ofthe touch panel 32 and the acceleration sensor 36 as external sensors isswitched between the active state and the standby state, and moreover,the electric power supplied to the photosensor 38 as an external sensoris switched between the ON and OFF states to thereby save theelectricity, capable of suppressing the electric power consumption ofthe battery 16.

As shown in FIG. 10, as combinations of the external sensors, a “firststate” in which both of the touch panel 32 and the acceleration sensor36 are in the active state, and the electric power supply to thephotosensor 38 is the “ON state”, a “second state” in which the touchpanel 32 is the active state, the acceleration sensor 36 is the standbystate, and the electric power supply to the photosensor 38 is the “ONstate”, a “third state” in which the touch panel 32 is the active state,the acceleration sensor 36 is the standby state, and the electric powersupply to the photosensor 38 is the “OFF state”, a “fourth state” inwhich the touch panel 32 is the standby state, the photosensor 38 is theactive state, and the electric power supply to the photosensor 38 is the“ON state”, a “fifth state” in which both of the touch panel 32 and theacceleration sensor 36 are the standby state, and the electric powersupply to the photosensor 38 is the “ON state”, and a “sixth state” inwhich both of the touch panel 32 and the acceleration sensor 36 are thestandby state, and the electric power supply to the photosensor 38 isthe “OFF state”.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11, as states of the mobile phoneapparatus 10, there are a low-battery state in which the remainingamount of the battery 16 is less than a predetermined amount, a state inwhich nothing is displayed on the LCD monitor 26 (non-display), a statein which the touch panel 32 is locked, a state (eleventh condition(condition 11)) in which a phone call is in progress and there is nopossibility that a “function operation other than a phone call” is made,a state (twelfth condition (condition 12)) in which a phone call is inprogress, there is a possibility that a “function operation other than aphone call” is made, and a “function operation other than a phone call”is actually performed, a state (thirteenth condition (condition 13)) inwhich a phone call is in progress, there is a possibility that a“function operation other than a phone call” is made, and a “functionoperation other than a phone call” is not actually performed, a state(fourteenth condition (condition 14)) in which a phone call is not inprogress and an application that is compatible with the “touch input”and “the rotative display” is being executed, a state (fifteenthcondition (condition 15)) in which a phone call is not in progress andan application that is compatible with the “touch input” and is notcompatible with the “rotative display” is being executed, a state(sixteenth condition (condition 16)) in which a phone call is not inprogress and an application that is not compatible with the “touchinput” and is compatible with “the rotative display” is being executed,a state (seventeenth condition (condition 17)) in which a phone call isnot in progress and an application that is not compatible with the“touch input” and the “rotative display” is being executed, and otherstate.

Referring to FIG. 11, in the low-battery state, for the purpose ofpreventing the power of the battery 16 from being consumed, both of thetouch panel 32 and the acceleration sensor 36 are set to the standbystate, and the electric power supply to the photosensor 38 is set to the“OFF state” (sixth state). In the non-display state of the LCD monitor26, there is no possibility of a “touch input” being made, andtherefore, the touch panel 32 is set to the standby state, the displayobject of the LCD monitor 26 need not undergo the “rotative display”,and therefore, the acceleration sensor 36 is also set to the standbystate, and the brightness of the LCD monitor 26 (backlight 28) need notbe adjusted, and therefore, the electric power supply to the photosensor38 is set to the “OFF state” (sixth state). Furthermore, in the state inwhich the touch panel 32 is locked, a “touch input” is not accepted, andtherefore, the touch panel 32 is set to the standby state, but there isa possibility that a display object that undergoes the “rotativedisplay” is displayed on the LCD monitor 26, and therefore, theacceleration sensor 36 is set to the active state, and the brightness ofthe display of the LCD monitor 26 need to be adjusted, and therefore,the electric power supply to the photosensor 38 is set to the “ON state”(fourth state).

In the state (eleventh condition) in which a phone call is in progressand there is no possibility that a “function operation other than aphone call” is made, there is no possibility of a “touch input” beingmade, and therefore, the touch panel 32 is set to the standby state, thedisplay object that undergoes the “rotative display” is never displayedon the LCD monitor 26, and therefore, the acceleration sensor 36 is alsoset to the standby state, and the brightness of the display of the LCDmonitor 26 need not be adjusted, and therefore, the electric powersupply to the photosensor 38 is set to the “OFF state” (sixth state). Inaddition, in the state (twelfth condition) in which a phone call is inprogress, there is a possibility that a “function operation other than aphone call” is made, and a “function operation other than a phone call”is actually performed, the touch panel 32 is set to the active state inpreparation for a “touch input”, the “rotative display” is not performedaccording to the specifications, and therefore the acceleration sensor36 is set to the standby state, and the brightness of the display of theLCD monitor 26 need to be adjusted, and therefore, the electric powersupply to the photosensor 38 is set to the “ON state” (second state).Then, in the state (thirteenth condition) in which a phone call is inprogress, there is a possibility that a “function operation other than aphone call” is made, and a “function operation other than a phone call”is not actually performed, the touch panel 32 is set to the active statein preparation for a “touch input”, the “rotative display” is notperformed according to the specifications (specs), and therefore theacceleration sensor 36 is set to the standby state, and the brightnessof the display of the LCD monitor 26 need not to be adjusted, andtherefore, the electric power supply to the photosensor 38 is set to the“OFF state” (third state).

Furthermore, in the state (fourteenth condition) in which a phone callis not in progress and an application that is compatible with the “touchinput” and “the rotative display” is being activated, the touch panel 32is set to the active state in preparation for a “touch input”, theacceleration sensor 36 is also set to the active state in preparationfor a “rotative display”, and the brightness of the display of the LCDmonitor 26 need to be adjusted, and therefore, the electric power supplyto the photosensor 38 is set to the “ON state” (first state). Inaddition, in the state (fifteenth condition) in which a phone call isnot in progress, an application that is compatible with the “touchinput” and is not compatible with the “rotative display” is beingactivated, the touch panel 32 is set to the active state in preparationfor a “touch input”, there is no need to prepare for a “rotativedisplay”, and therefore, the acceleration sensor 36 is set to thestandby state, and the brightness of the display of the LCD monitor 26need to be adjusted, and therefore, the electric power supply to thephotosensor 38 is set to the “ON state” (second state). Then, in thestate (sixteenth condition) in which a phone call is not in progress andan application that is not compatible with the “touch input” and iscompatible with “the rotative display” is being executed, there is noneed to prepare for a “touch input”, and therefore, the touch panel 32is set to the standby state, there is a need to prepare for the“rotative display”, and therefore, the acceleration sensor 36 is set tothe active state, and the brightness of the display of the LCD monitor26 need to be adjusted, and therefore, the electric power supply to thephotosensor 38 is set to the “ON state” (fourth state). In addition, inthe state (seventeenth condition) in which a phone call is not inprogress and an application that is not compatible with the “touchinput” and the “rotative display” is being executed (seventeenthcondition), there is no need to prepare for a “touch input”, andtherefore, the touch panel 32 is set to the standby state, there is noneed to prepare for a “rotative display”, and therefore, theacceleration sensor 36 is also set to the standby state, and thebrightness of the display of the LCD monitor 26 need to be adjusted, andtherefore, the electric power supply to the photosensor 38 is set to the“ON state” (fifth state). Then, in the state other than theabove-description of the mobile phone apparatus 10, the touch panel 32is set to the active state in preparation for a “touch input”, theacceleration sensor 36 is also set to the active state in preparationfor the “rotative display”, and for the adjustment of the brightness ofthe display of the LCD monitor 26, the electric power supply to thephotosensor 38 is set to the “ON state” (first state).

Next, with reference to flowcharts in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, processingwhen the processor 12 operates a power-saving state by switching thetouch panel 32 and the acceleration sensor 36 between the active stateand the standby state, and by switching the electric power supply to thephotosensor 38 between the ON and OFF states. Here, the processor 12executes the following processing on the basis of the predeterminedprogram stored in the flash memory 20.

Furthermore, the processor 12 can detect the states of the mobile phoneapparatus 10, such as a remaining amount of the battery 16, the presenceor absence of a connection of an earphone to the earphone jack 44, and afunction corresponding to an activating application according to thewell-known techniques.

It should be noted that the processing shown in the flowcharts in FIG.12 and FIG. 13 is an example, and the order of the processing is notrestricted to that shown in the flowcharts, and may be changed asnecessary if the present invention can be implemented even after theorder of the processing is changed.

With reference to FIG. 12, the processor 12 first determines whether ornot the remaining amount of the battery 16 is less than a predeterminedamount (low battery) in a step S61. If “YES” is determined in the stepS61, the processor 12 sets the flag F to a content indicating the “sixthstate” in a step S81. The flag F, here, is a storage area such aregister R, etc. belonging to the processor 12. The register R (flag F)stores any one of the “first state” to the “sixth state” by being set toa “00000001”, a “00000010”, a “00000100”, a “00001000”, a “00010000”, a“00100000”. The “first state” is a state in which the “00000001” isstored in the register R, both of the touch panel 32 and theacceleration sensor 36 are active, and the electric power supply to thephotosensor 38 is set to the “ON state” as shown in FIG. 10. The “secondstate” is a state in which the numerical value “00000010” is stored inthe register R, the touch panel 32 is active, the acceleration sensor 36is standby, and the electric power supply to the photosensor 38 is setto the “ON state” as shown in FIG. 10. This holds true for thefollowing. That is, storing the “00000100”, the “00001000”, the“00010000”, and the “00100000” in the register R (flag F) respectivelyshow the “third state”, the “fourth state”, the “fifth state”, and the“sixth state”. Accordingly, in the step S81, the “00100000” is stored inthe register R (flag F).

When the flag F is thus set, the processor 12 operates a power-savingstate on the basis of the set state of the flag F in a step S79. Morespecifically, since the flag F indicates the “sixth state”, theprocessor 12 transmits the standby signal to both of the touch panelcontrolling IC 30 and the acceleration sensor controlling IC 34, andsets the electric power supply to the photosensor 38 to the “OFF state”.

On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in the step S61, the processproceeds to a step S63 to determine whether or not the LCD monitor 26 isin a non-display state. If “YES” is determined in the step S63, the“00100000” is stored in the register R to set the flag F to the contentindicating the “sixth state” in the step S81, and further in the stepS79, the power-saving state is operated on the basis of the set state ofthe flag F. More specifically, since the flag F indicates the “sixthstate”, the processor 12 transmits the standby signal to both of thetouch panel controlling IC 30 and the acceleration sensor controlling IC34, and sets the electric power supply to the photosensor 38 to the “OFFstate”.

On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in the step S63, it isdetermined whether or not the touch panel 32 is locked in a step S65. If“YES” is determined in the step S65, the “00001000” is stored in theregister R to set the flag F to a content indicating the “fourth state”in a step S83, and further in the step S79, the power-saving state isoperated on the basis of the set state of the flag F. More specifically,since the flag F indicates the “fourth state”, the processor 12transmits the standby signal to the touch panel controlling IC 30,transmits the active signal to the acceleration sensor controlling IC34, and sets the electric power to the photosensor 38 to the “ON state”.

On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in the step S65, it isdetermined whether or not a phone call is in progress in a step S67. If“YES” is determined in the step S67, in a next step S69, it isdetermined whether or not any one of inserting the terminal of theearphone into the earphone jack 44, a handsfree function, and a holdingfunction is being executed, that is, whether a state in which there is apossibility of the “function operation other than a phone call” beingperformed during a phone call or not. If “YES” is determined in the stepS69, it is determined whether or not a “function operation other than aphone call” is actually performed in a step S71.

If “YES” is determined in the step 71, the “00000010” is stored in theregister R to set the flag F to a content indicating the “second state”in a step S75, and further in the step S79, the power-saving state isoperated on the basis of the set state of the flag F. More specifically,since the flag F indicates the “second state”, the processor 12transmits the active signal to the touch panel controlling IC 30,transmits the standby signal to the acceleration sensor controlling IC34, and sets the electric power supply to the photosensor 38 to the “ONstate”. If “NO” is determined in the step 71, the “00000100” is storedin the register R to set the flag F to a content indicating the “thirdstate” in a step S73, and further in the step S79, the power-savingstate is operated on the basis of the set state of the flag F. Morespecifically, since the flag F indicates the “third state”, theprocessor 12 transmits the active signal to the touch panel controllingIC 30, transmits the standby signal to the acceleration sensorcontrolling IC 34, and sets the electric power supply to the photosensor38 to the OFF state.

Returning to the step S69, if “NO” is determined in the step S69, the“00100000” is stored in the register R to set the flag F to the contentindicating the “sixth state” in a step S77, and further in the step S79,the power-saving state is operated on the basis of the set state of theflag F. More specifically, since the flag F indicates the “sixth state”,the processor 12 transmits the standby signal to both of the touch panelcontrolling IC 30 and the acceleration sensor controlling IC 34, andsets the electric power supply to the photosensor 38 to the “OFF state”.

Returning to the step S67, when it is determined that phone call is notin progress (“NO” in the step S67), it is determined whether or not anapplication is being activated in a step S85. If “YES” is determined inthe step S85, it is determined whether or not the application which isbeing activated is compatible with a “touch input” in a next step S87.

If “YES” is determined in the step S87, it is determined whether or notthe application which is being activated is compatible with the“rotative display” in a step S89. If “YES” is determined in the stepS89, the “00000001” is stored in the register R to thereby set the flagF to a content indicating the “first state” in a step S91, and furtherin the step S79, the power-saving state is operated on the basis of theset state of the flag F. More specifically, since the flag F indicatesthe “first state”, the processor 12 transmits the active signal to bothof the touch panel controlling IC 30 and the sensor controlling IC 34,and sets the electric power supply to the photosensor 38 to the “ONstate”.

On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in the step S89, the “00000010”is stored in the register R to set the flag F to the content indicatingthe “second state” in a step S93, and further in the step S79, thepower-saving state is operated on the basis of the set state of the flagF. More specifically, since the flag F indicates the “second state”, theprocessor 12 transmits the active signal to the touch panel controllingIC 30, transmits the standby signal to the acceleration sensor IC 34,and sets the electric power supply to the photosensor 38 to the “ONstate”.

Returning to the step S87, if the application which is being activatedis not compatible with the “touch input” (“NO” in the step S87), it isdetermined whether or not the application which is being activated iscompatible with the “rotative display” in a next step 95. If “YES” isdetermined in the step S95, the “00001000” is stored in the register Rto set the flag F to the content indicating the “fourth state” in a stepS97, and further in the step S79, the power-saving state is operated onthe basis of the set state of the flag F. More specifically, since theflag F indicates the “fourth state”, the processor 12 transmits thestandby signal to the touch panel controlling IC 30, transmits theactive signal to the acceleration sensor IC 34, and sets the electricpower supply to the photosensor 38 to the “ON state”.

On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in the step S95, the “00010000”is stored in the register R to set the flag F to a content indicatingthe “fifth state” in a step S99, and further in a step S79, thepower-saving state is operated on the basis of the set state of the flagF. More specifically, since the flag F indicates the “fifth state”, theprocessor 12 transmits the standby signal to both of the touch panelcontrolling IC 30 and the acceleration sensor IC 34, and sets theelectric power supply to the photosensor 38 to the “ON” state.

Returning to the step S85, when it is determined that the application isnot being activated (“NO” in the step S85), that is, if in other state,the “00000001” is stored in the register R to set the flag F to thecontent indicating the “first state” in a step S91, and further in thestep S79, the power-saving state is operated on the basis of the setstate of the flag F. More specifically, since the flag F indicates the“first state”, the processor 12 transmits the active signal to both ofthe touch panel controlling IC 30 and the acceleration sensorcontrolling IC 34, and sets the electric power supply to the photosensor38 to the “ON state”.

As understood from the above description, the mobile phone apparatus 10of the third embodiment determines whether or not the touch panel 32,the acceleration sensor 36 and the photosensor 38 being external sensorshave to be operated depending on the operating states of the mobilephone apparatus 10, and switches each of the touch panel 32 and theacceleration sensor 36 from the active state to the standby state andswitches the electric power supply to the photosensor 38 from the ONstate to the OFF state in a case that there is no need for operation.Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the touch panel 32, theacceleration sensor 36, and the photosensor 38 from being supplied withuseless electric power, and reduce the electric power consumption of thebattery 16.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated indetail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustrationand example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spiritand scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms ofthe appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A mobile terminal, comprising: a display; apower supply operable to supply a power having a predetermined voltagefrom a battery; a plurality of keys operable to receive an input by auser; a touch panel separate from the plurality of keys, the touch paneloperable to be supplied with the power from the power supply, the touchpanel being formed on an upper surface of the display; an earphoneconnector that is configured to be connected with an earphone; and atleast one processor that sets to the touch panel a first state or asecond state that electric power consumption of the battery can besuppressed in comparison to the first state, maintains the first statefor the touch panel, if the first state is set before a start oftelephone conversation and if the earphone is connected to the earphoneconnector when the telephone conversation is started, and performsprocessing for an operation corresponding to an input by the user whilemaintaining the second state for the touch panel and the telephoneconversation, if the input by the user is received by one or more of theplurality of keys in a case where the second state is set when thetelephone conversation is performed, wherein predetermined operationsare assigned to one or more of the plurality of keys.
 2. The mobileterminal according to claim 1, wherein an active state is set to thetouch panel when the first state is set, and a standby state that theelectric power consumption of the battery can be suppressed to the touchpanel when the second state is set.
 3. A control method in a mobileterminal which includes a display module, a power module operable tosupply a power having a predetermined voltage from a battery, a keyinput module operable to receive an input by a user, the key inputmodule comprising a plurality of keys, and a touch panel separate fromthe key input module, the touch panel operable to be which is suppliedwith the power from the power module, the touch panel being formed on anupper surface of the display module, the method comprising: maintaininga first state for the touch panel, if the first state is set before astart of telephone conversation and if the earphone is connected to theconnecting module when the telephone conversation is started, andperforming processing for an operation corresponding to an input by theuser while maintaining a second state for the touch panel and thetelephone conversation, if the input by the user is received by the keyinput module in a case where the second state is set when the telephoneconversation is performed, wherein electric power consumption of thebattery is suppressed in the second state in comparison to the firststate, wherein predetermined operations are assigned to one or more keysof the key module.
 4. A non-transitory computer readable storage mediumstoring a control program executable by a computer of in a mobileterminal which includes a display module, a power module operable tosupply a power having a predetermined voltage from a battery, a keyinput module operable to receive an input by a user, the key inputmodule comprising a plurality of keys, and a touch panel separate fromthe key input module, the touch panel operable to be which is suppliedwith the power from the power module, the touch panel being formed on anupper surface of the display module, wherein the control program causesthe computer to: maintain a first state for the touch panel, if thefirst state is set before a start of telephone conversation and if theearphone is connected to the connecting module when the telephoneconversation is started, and perform processing for an operationcorresponding to an input by the user while maintaining a second statefor the touch panel and the telephone conversation, if the input by theuser is received by the key input module in a case where the secondstate is set when the telephone conversation is performed, whereinelectric power consumption of the battery is suppressed in the secondstate in comparison to the first state, wherein predetermined operationsare assigned to one or more keys of the key module.